Twenty hardbody bikini women will take the stage at the New York Pro Championships this Saturday at the Tribecca Performing Arts Center. Looking at the line-up it is one of the toughest we’ve seen. The competition certainly doesn’t get any easier in the bikini division and I wouldn’t want to be a judge at this show. The top five at this competition will be one of the best we’ve seen just short of the Olympia and Bikini International. Let’s break down the field and go out on a limb with a few predictions

The HARDBODY 411:

1. Jessica Arevalo – Tracey, CaliforniaThis is Jessica’s pro debut. She took the B Class at the 2011 NPC Nationals and will have a tough time in her first IFBB show. Can she hang? Ya but it won’t be easy in this line-up. If she cracks the top ten she should consider it a success.

2. Sandy Avelar – British Columbia, CanadaSandy will also be making her pro debut and nothing like jumping into the deep end of the pool, right? We’ll see how she fairs in one of the toughest shows of the year. She will be able to use this as a good tune-up before the Toronto Pro show in a couple weeks.

3. Jaime Baird – Orlando, FloridaJaime will undoubtedly be in the first call-out. She’s positioned herself as a top bikini pro and don’t look for that to change any time soon. She didn’t seem quite herself at the Pittsburgh Pro but look for her to be on point here and in the hunt for the win. If she’s calm, cool and in her zone she could win it. I also like her make-up less dark around her eyes as it didn’t seem to fit her look at the PA Pro.

4. Abigail Burrows – Las Vegas, NevadaMiss Abigail. The big question is which Abbie will show up to the Big Apple. When she’s got her sh*t together she’s a top contender. If she’s distracted with the things happening away from the stage it takes its toll on what she brings to the stage. She was clearly way off her best at the Bikini International. If she’s collected herself and regrouped from that showing she’ll be in the mix here, if not she’ll be on the outside looking in.

5. Juliana Daniell – Atlanta, GeorgiaJD has my favorite physique in this line-up and one of my top 3 in the entire Pro Bikini division. I like the athletic look she brings to the stage and if she brings a look similar to what we saw here last year and at the Bikini International she’ll be in the top spots. Juliana’s biggest challenge is relaxing and just doing her thing. If it’s not broke don’t fix it, right? Let’s hope she brings what she did in Columbus.

6. Tawna Eubanks – Dallas, TexasTawna was on the outside of the top spots at the PA Pro earlier this month and will be looking for a bit of redemption. This line-up is tougher than the one we saw in Pittsburgh so if she can climb up from her 7th place finish it will be a success.

7. Diana Graham – Duvall, Washington OUT DUE TO ILLNESSDiana will likely be in one of the top spots at this show. I don’t see her finishing higher than third but don’t count her out of a the top five. I’ve been critical of her distracting boobs and it’s a sentiment that judges have shared with me. If she can find a way to not make them a talking point and focus on her physique she’ll be in the hunt. The boys at Getbig.com highly praise Diana for being one of the curviest competitors on the stage and always welcome her.

8. Janet Harding – Yardley, PennsylvaniaJanet is a persistent competitor. Her biggest challenge are the little details like her tanning and hair. When her hair is too big and curly it’s distracting. She’s almost never dark enough with her tan when on stage. If she can tweak those little details she’ll move up from the bottom of the pack.

9. Melinda Janiszewski – Atlanta, GeorgiaMelinda had a respectable showing at the Pittsburgh Pro. If she can crack the top ten here it will be a success. She’s definitely improved her physique from what we saw in her pro debut at this show, two years ago.

10. Tabitha Klausen Leandri – Clinton, Connecticut Tabitha has withdrawn due to injury.Tabitha can move up from her Pittsburgh 14th place finish if she takes the stage with confidence. When she presented in Pittsburgh she didn’t seem confident and she has every reason to be confident. I’d like to see her take the stage like a Victoria Secret’s Runway model. Tabitha is one of the taller competitors and she has a long torso, so for her it’s all in how she presents it. Improved presentation = improved placing for Tabitha.

11. Kristal Martin – Gaithersburg, MarylandKristal was at the bottom pack in her pro debut. Now that she got the first time pro jitters out of the way and knows what she needs to improve upon, look for her to present a better package. She needs a different colored suit than Pittsburgh and her physique needs to be a bit fuller. If she changes that she’ll move up.

12. Bernadett Matassa – HungaryBernadett rocks short blonde hair and I’m not sure it works for her. She used to have some goofy poses but she learned to leave those behind. I’d like to see her with longer hair, more relaxed posing and a bit softer in the upper body. Will we see any of that in New York? Not likely.

13. Taylor Matheny – Sand Springs, OklahomaTaylor has a rock’n physique and is adorable. She still struggles with her posing and in order to crack the top spots she’ll need to improve her posing. She was third at the St. Louis Pro which was a great finish for her. Placing that high her won’t be as easy. I’d like to see her tan a little darker as well. I like her look and if she can relax and polish her posing she’ll be in the hunt.

14. Heather Nappi – Novi, MichiganHeather is coming off a 13th place finish at the Pittsburgh Pro and if she can crack the top ten here she’ll be doing good. She’s been as high as fifth but given the line up here it will be a tough placing to match. I like the look she brought to the Florida Pro to close out 2011.

15. Cecile Palacios – New York, New YorkCecile will be making her pro debut after winning the F class at the 2011 NPC Nationals. She will have to pose her body in a curvy manner as one of the taller women in the show. This will be a great test for her because if she can crack the top 10 here it will be a success.

16. India Paulino – Pembroke Pines, FloridaIndia has momentum on her side and the odds on favorite to two in a row. She was runner-up at the Bikini International and brought a winning look to Pittsburgh. I swear the girl is going to break a hip with her little shimmy shake she does at the end of her individual posing presentation. She can get away with it because it fits her sassy personality. Count on her to wear a yellow bikini suit because it works. India’s “assets” can also be distracting if just looking at photos but when you see her present, her attitude and presentation make you focus on her physique and not her boobs.

17. Kristy Robbins – Palm Harbor, FloridaKristy looked good in Pittsburgh and I would have placed her higher than 9th. I would like to see her compared to the top women if she brings the same look to the stage as she did in Pittsburgh. Look for her in the top ten here and if she struts he stuff and catches the eye of the judges in the individual presentation look for her to be in the hunt.

18. Yeshaira Robles – Bronx, New YorkYeshaira has the best energy. In some poses she’s smiling and cute but then she’ll flip a switch and give you a sexy diva look. I dig it. She has the physique of a top contender, a tight booty and positioning herself as one of the leading ladies in bikini. I look for her to be in the top spots once again here.

19. Skye Taylor – Las Vegas, NevadaSkye looked her best at the Houston Pro where she finished second. She’ll have her work cut out for her to crack the top five here but look for to be in contention if she brings a similar look.

20. Talia Terese – Vallejo, CaliforniaTalia oh Talia, which Talia will we see in New York? If the Talia we saw at the 2011 NPC USA shows up she’s top five no question. If she shows up like she did in her pro debut she won’t be in the top 10. Talia is one of the most beautiful women in the division but she has yet to find her groove as a pro. She finished in fourth at the 2011 Sacramento Pro and will have a tough time placing higher than that here but without question she can do it if she brings the USA look.

So who wins? Who finishes in the top five? As you can see the judges will have a VERY difficult time sorting this one out. It will come down to the little details like tanning, hair, posing and presentation. If everyone was 100% and presented their best physique to date I’d go with Juliana Daniell for the win however I doubt the judges will agree with me.

The IFBB New York Pro has become one of the premier contests of the year. Many fans and pundits would argue that the New York Pro is the most prestigious IFBB Pro show behind the Arnold and Olympia. This weekend we’ll see one the biggest (and toughest) Figure lineups of the year. Hardbody women from across the globe have sent their contracts in and this is going to be one show not to miss. There are a few names that jump out as the favorites heading into Saturday’s event. You never know who will be on the money and who will miss the mark but let’s break down the competition.

The HARDBODY 411

Favorites:

Ava Cowan has relocated from Florida to New York and will look for her second pro title. She’s coming off back to back fourth place finishes and left Columbus less than stoked. Along with the move, Ava has gone back to working with Layne Norton for her contest prep. This is important to note as she streamlined her physique and came in at her best while working with trainer Kim Oddo. She’ll have an advantage of not having to fly. She’ll also have leading Figure lady Candice Keene standing in her way. The two have developed a bit of a rivalry over the last year. Candice and Ava have gone third and fourth behind Erin and Nicole a few times. Since Erin nor Nicole are in this show, it would be a safe to wager on Candice or Ava walking away the winner. Candice has gotten the better of Ava their last two times, the 2011 Sheru Classic and 2012 Figure International. Candice is coming off a win at the Orlando Show of Champions and carries the confidence with her from that show into the Big Apple. Heather Dees may have something to say about either of these women being the favorites. She has refined her physique over the last few months and positioned herself as a threat to both women. She was nipping at their heels at the Figure International and finished just behind Candice and Ava.

If either lady is off Dees could slip into the top two spots. If Ava and Candice are on point look for Heather in the third place position. Two other women to watch to shake up the top spots are coming off wins. Candice John notched her first pro win at the 2012 Pittsburgh Pro and last weekend Monica Specking also found the winner’s circle for the first time as a pro. I don’t see either of them beating Candice or Ava however never say never.

Contenders:

There are a few women I could see challenging for a top spot and cracking the top five. Allison Frahn has been in the top five before and is coming off a third place finish at the Governor’s Cup. While I’m not a big fan of her physique the judges seem to favor it. I’d like to see her pose a little less rigid, especially with her arms and hands. Caroline Hernandez showed she can hang in the top ten last year when she finished in seventh. I could see her cracking the top ten if she brings a similar to last year. Marcy Porter has been up and down in here placings. She was ninth in this show last year and she took a little time off after the 2011 Olympia. If she comes in conditioned she’ll be in the top ten, if she’s off she’ll be in the dreaded tied for 16th.

The woman I am most excited to see in this line-up is veteran Tara Scotti. Tara hasn’t competed since the 2006 West Palm Beach show. She’s been the the Olympia, won a pro show but that was all years ago. She had a baby 8 months ago but says she’s never felt better. Tara could be in the first call-out but it will all depend on what she brings in her return. One thing you can count on, Tara wouldn’t take the stage if she didn’t feel she could be a contender and I wouldn’t bet against her.